Women's Health

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75 Ways To Be Your Healthiest Ever

Smart ways to stay well, eat right, get fit

WebMD Feature from "Good Housekeeping" Magazine

WebMD Archive

From its first year of publication, GH has urged readers to live healthfully
— to take "a walk before breakfast" (1885), "eat more fish" (1932), and get "at
least eight hours of sleep" (1933). The tips here, whether from our early days
or fresh from the latest journals, have one thing in common: They are based on
the best expertise of their time.

Smile Savers

Make it tea for your teeth: Fruit drinks, sodas, and citrus juices (like
orange) have sugar and acids that wear away tooth enamel. The better dental
choice — as safe as just plain water — is tea without milk, lemon, or
sugar.

Listen to your hygienist: In a two-week study of identical twins — one
brushed and flossed, the other simply brushed — flossers developed
significantly less plaque-causing bacteria than their brush-only siblings.

Spoon up some culture: In a new study, people who consumed at least 1/4 cup
of yogurt or a lactic acid drink every day were less than half as likely to
have serious gum disease. The magic ingredient? Probiotics, researchers
believe.

Get plenty of fruits and veggies: The higher your consumption of folic acid
from food (produce is a great source), the lower your risk of bleeding gums,
research shows.

2 Twofers

With these, you burn calories and curb hunger

Cardio before meals: An aerobic workout cuts your hunger by lowering levels
of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone. Count on about two hours' benefit,
including workout time. Weight training helps, too, but not as much. Not
exercising at all leaves you hungriest.

A short walk: In a "gotta have chocolate" mood? Hit the sidewalk for 15
minutes. The walk will cut calories and — a study of chocolate lovers showed —
curb your cravings as well.

Medicine Chest Must-Haves

These two can be lifesaving while you're waiting for the ambulance to
arrive:

Aspirin (325 mg, not baby) to chew on in case you, a family member, or a
guest has a heart attack
Liquid Benadryl in case of a life-threatening allergic reaction